| Keywords | travel United States of America United States America USA US Virginia VA history historical historic historical marker famous landmark road side highway popular Place of Interest Places of Interest Tourist Attraction Tourist Attractions Tourist Destination Tourist Destinations Travel Destination Travel Destinations tour tourism tourist attraction destination Sign Signs American Day Daytime Historical Sites Vertical Education Historical Site Marker Markers Outdoor Outdoors Outside Road Road Signs Roadside Roadsign Bedford County John Russell Duke of Bedford Peaks of Otter Poplar Forest Thomas Jefferson Campbell and Bedford County Line historic marker historic site information display no people nobody sign with text | Caption | Bedford County Z-67 Bedford County was probably named for the English statesman John Russell, fourth duke of Bedford. Russell, as secretary of state for the Southern Department from 1748 to 1751, had general supervision of colonial affairs. Bedford was formed from Lunenburg County in 1753 and parts of Albemarle and Lunenburg Counties were later added. The county seat is Bedford. The scenic Peaks of Otter as well as Poplar Forest, Thomas Jefferson's country retreat, are located in this county. Department of Historic Resources, 1997 |